The Book of Akbar 106: Qacūlī Bahādur.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 106
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Qacūlī Bahādur.
106.1
Qacūlī Bahādur is the eighth ancestor of his Majesty the Lord of Conjunction (Tīmūr). He was a theatre of the lights of dominion and a station of the impressions of auspiciousness. The refulgence of greatness radiated from his countenance and the glory of fortune shone from his brow. One night he beheld in a dream a shining star emerging from Qābāl Khān's breast. It rose to the zenith and then was extinguished. This happened thrice. The fourth time, a wondrous bright star arose from his (Qābāl’s) breast and took the horizons with its light. The rays thereof reached and enkindled other stars, and each of them lighted up a region, so that when the globe of light disappeared, the world still remained illuminated. He awoke from his vision, and loosed the bird of thought that he might interpret the strange augury. Suddenly sleep again overcame him and he saw seven stars rise in succession from his own breast and disappear. The eighth time, a mighty star appeared and lighted up the whole world. Then some small stars branched off from it so that every corner of the universe was illuminated. When the great star became invisible, those other stars shone forth and the universe remained bright as before. At daybreak, Qacūlī Bahādur reported the occurrence to his honoured father Tūmana Khān. The latter gave the interpretation that from Qābāl Khān there would come three princes who should sit on the throne of the Khānate and be lords of lands.
106.2
But the fourth time, a king would come after these, who should bring most of the earth under his sway and should have children, each of whom would govern a region. From Qacūlī would come seven dominant descendants, bearing on their brows the diadom of primacy and the crown of rule. The eighth time a descendant would arise who should exhibit world-wide sovereignty and exorcise sway and chiefship over all mankind. From him would come descendants who should each rule a division of the earth. When Tumana Khan had made an end of his interpretation, the two brothers, in accordance with his orders, made a mutual league and covenant to the effect that the throne of the Khan should be committed to Qabal Khan and that Qaculi should be Commander-in-Chief and Prime Minister. And it was established that the descendants of each should, generation after generation, observe this arrangement. They drew up a solemn compact (‘ahd-nāma) to this effect in Uighūr (Turkish) characters and each brother put his seal to it and it was styled the “Altamgha of Tumana Khan.” The illustrious ancestors of his Majesty, the king of kings,—who is the final cause of the series having been set in motion—were, from Adam to Tumana Khan, distinguished by absolute sovereignty and by independent sway, and so established the throne of justice. Some members of the glorious company also attained to the spiritual world and so were, both outwardly and inwardly, plenipotent, as hath been set forth in ancient chronicles.
106.3
The Divine strategy—in providing for the apparition of the consummation of all degrees, spiritual and temporal, by the intervention of so many rulers of the visible and invisible worlds,—was awaiting the birth-time of his Majesty, the king of kings,—for, as being the quintessence of humanity, his robe must be gorgeously embroidered,—and so was day by day, accomplishing the preparations. Hence in order to completeness and to cause appreciation of the glory of service and the sweets of management, Qaculi Bahadur was arrayed in the disguise of vicegerency (wakālat) so that the grades of this status too might come within the purview of this glorious company and a provision of every stage of development be accumulated for his Majesty, the king of kings. Thus, notwithstanding the guiding power, dexterity, greatness and high-mindedness of Qaculi Bahadur, Qabal Khan became the heir. Though in the external point of age,—which is not regarded by the wise,—he was greater, yet in reality, the controlling power of the Divine wisdom was engaged in completing the work (of preparation for Akbar). When Tumana Khan’s star set in the west, Qabal Khan became established on the throne of rule and Qaculi Bahadur, in accordance with that fidelity to his promise which is the material of eternal bliss, undertook with concord and singleness of aim, the management of the State in conformity with the rules of loving-mindedness and king-making.
106.4
And when Qabal Khan went from this world of troubled existence to the peaceful home of nothingness, Qubila Khan who out of six sons was the one worthy of the throne and crown, obtained the sovereignty, and Qaculi Bahadur remained engaged in the same high office of Commander-in-Chief, observed his compact and, by help of wisdom and courage, carried on the affairs of the State. Qubila Khan with the support of such a grandee, who was possessed both of God-given wisdom and a world-conquering sword, took vengeance for his brother from Altan Khan (i.e., the Golden Khan) the ruler of Cathay and having made great wars which were masterpieces of men of might, inflicted a heavy defeat on the army of Cathay.
106.5
The abstract of this affair is as follows:—The rulers of Cathay always were in dread of this noble race and always kept on friendly terms with it. When Altan Khan was confirmed on the throne of Cathay, he became much alarmed at hearing of the bravery and ability of Qabal Khan. By means of skilful embassies, he established concord between them to such an extent that he invited Qabal Khan to Cathay. The Khan with the sincerity and honesty which are the characteristics of this family, made over the care of the kingdom to Qaculi Bahadur and went to Cathay. His reception was very friendly and after indulging in pleasure and enjoyment, he set his face homewards. Some of Altan Khan's grandees of base and ignoble nature, disturbed his mind with improper words so that he repented having said adieu to Qabal Khan and sent a message to recall him. Qabal Khan saw through the plot and replied that as he had left in an auspicious hour, it would not be proper to return. This enraged Altan Khan who sent troops with orders to bring him back by hook or by crook. Qabal Khan caused the officer in command to alight at the house of a friend of his named SaljuqI who had his dwelling by the way-side, and agreed to turn back. SaljuqI secretly told him that to return was not advisable and that he had a swift and enduring horse which no one could come up with and that the proper thing for Qabal Khan was to mount this horse and get away as quickly as possible from this dangerous neighbourhood.
106.6
Qabal Khan acted on this advice and getting on the horse, proceeded to his own camp (yurt). When the Cathay messengers heard this, they pursued him with all rapidity but did not come up with him till he was in his own camp. Qabal Khan seized these wicked people and put them to death. Meanwhile his eldest child Uqm Barqaq who was matchless for beauty, was keeping company with the gazelles on the borders of the wilderness when a party of Tatars surprised him and took him to Altan Khan. The Khan put this delicate fawn to death in satisfaction for those dog-souled wolves. When Qubila Khan who was the second son, came to the throne, he collected an army and marched against Altan Khan to revenge his brother's death. A great battle ensued and the Cathaians suffered a sore defeat and were plundered of their property. When the onset of the army of death fell upon Qubila Khan, his honoured brother Bartan Bahadur, was established on the throne, agreeably to the counsels of the nobles. He preserved the institutions (yásáq, i. e. yásá) of his father and brother and as in his time, he had no rival who could contend with him in war, the title Khan was marked in people’s mouths by that of Bahadur and they stamped the coin of his courage with this awe-augmenting appellative. At this period, Qaculi Bahadur who was at once a life-sacrificing brother and a Commander-in-Chief Bahadur, departed to the eternal world.